The Food Network put a new spin on this season of the Great Food Truck Race. Instead of established food truck owners, each of the eight sets of contestants are novices with absolutely no food truck experience. In fact, some of the competitors have no professional cooking experience at all. Consequently, along with a $50,000 prize, the winning team of this season will be given a brand new food truck to help them start their business.

The Contestants

Competing this season are eight very different aspiring food truck entrepreneurs. The first team is Pizza Mike’s from Columbus, Ohio. Previously owners of a restaurant, Pizza Mike needed to close as a result of a fire. They are hoping to reopen their business as a food truck. The next team is Momma’s Grizzly Grub from Wasilla, Alaska. These contestants hope to open a food truck that serves a variety of pasta dishes. Pop-a -Waffle consists of a passionate group of guys from the Los Angeles area. Two of the three team members have no culinary training. But, they consider the third team member to be their secret weapon. From Australia, the Barbie Babes relocated to Los Angeles and began a catering service. Their dream is to open a food truck serving Australian style barbecue. Also competing is Under the Crust, a group of trained chefs who specialize in making pies. They’ve built a following by selling at farmer’s markets, but are hopeful they can expand into a food truck business. Next is the Coast of Atlanta, a group of trained chefs that specialize in seafood. There is also Seoul Sausage from LA’s Korea town, and Nonna’s Kitchen, an Italian restaurant from Jersey.

Each week, the teams must go to a new city, shop and prep. The team who makes the least money will be sent home. To compete, each team is given a loaner truck for the contest based upon a design they sent in to the show. Early on however, it is clear that the teams don’t know what they’re doing. Some didn’t even know how to get the truck started.

The Road Trip

The teams first meet in Long Beach, California. After finding their trucks, contestants were sent out to shop for supplies. This included pots, pans, spices, food and items required by the health department. Nonetheless, teams were given only $1500 to shop with. The teams, however, would not compete in Long Beach, but would travel about 20 minutes to the Los Angeles area.

When in Los Angeles, the teams began to shop. While shopping, the Seoul Sausage guys had the most trouble because of the cost of a sausage press. Consequently, they had to revise their plans. The Barbie Babes also struggled to find the spices they needed to make their authentic Australian recipes. They spent a considerable amount of time shopping. Members of the Coast of Atlanta team argued in the store when one of the team members shared information with a competitor.

Finally, contestants parked their trucks (some with difficulty) and began preparing their meals. Seoul Sausage really impressed their new customers with tasty cuisine, while Under the Crust struggled to even find a location. With only one waffle iron, Pop-a-Waffle worried they wouldn’t be able to meet the demands of their customers. Still, they invited the Barbie Babes to join them at their location. Nonetheless, the Barbie Babes started so late they were unable to even open the first day. The following day they were unable to grill because they couldn’t get their pilot light started. Later, however, they were rescued when a chef came by and saved the day.

Coast of Atlanta opted to open at Venice Beach thinking seafood would sell there. To get people to the truck they try to sell water on the beach for $1. Finally, Under the Crust sells their first dish, a chicken pot pie. The customer really enjoys it and they become hopeful they will succeed in the race.

Speed Bump

In the midst of selling, the host shares a “speed bump.” Tonight’s speed bump requires competitors to sell bumper to bumper. So, each truck needed to move to Hollywood Boulevard for a showdown in front of the Chinese Theater. Immediately, Under the Crust pushes to sell by slashing prices. Each pie is sold for only $2. She even brings mini-pies out and sells them on the street. Pop-a-Waffle draws attention with a circus type act, while Coast of Atlanta chooses to make a display dish and yell. Seoul Sausage presents themselves as Korean rock stars to get customers, and once again, the Barbie Babes are the last to arrive and get started. At the end of the day, the trucks start to sell their goodies for any price.

Elimination Day

At the first elimination, the host shared that seven out of the eight teams had actually lost money. One team, however, lost the most and would be sent home. In first place was Seoul Sausage who sold almost $2,000 in food. They were the only team to make a profit for the week. In second place was Pizza Mike’s followed by Nonna’s Kitchen. Momma’s Grizzly Grub would take fourth, and Coast of Atlanta fifth place. In the bottom three was Under the Crust, Pop-A-Waffle and Barbie Babes. Both Pop-A-Waffle and Barbie Babes were safe, and thus Under the Crust had to go home.

I am a freelance writer who specializes in producing quality web content for an array of internet sites. Over my career I've been published at Suite 101, the Yahoo Contributor Network, Ehow, SportsMemorabilia.com and various other business websites. Alon